| Lopchu Tea Estate | |
| Photo Width: | 250 |
| Location: | Darjeeling district, West Bengal, India |
| Coords: | 27.0745°N 88.3696°W |
| Area: | 226acres |
| Owner: | Rajesh Kanoria, Sandeep Kanoria |
Lopchu Tea Estate is a tea garden in the Rangli Rangliot CD block in the Darjeeling Sadar subdivision of the Darjeeling district in the Indian state of West Bengal.
"Lopchu" is a derivative from Lepcha language, which prevailed in the area when the garden was set up.[1]
Lopchu Tea Estate was owned by British planters, possibly the Langmore family, in its earlier days.[2] The garden was established in the early 1860s.[3]
In 1954, Lopchu Tea Estate was purchased by S.N.Kanoria and G.L.Kanoria, two cousins and both jute traders. Now, their grandsons, Rajesh Kanoria and Sandeep Kanoria, own the garden.[1] [4]
Lopchu Tea Estate is located north-east of Darjeeling, mid-way between Darjeeling and Kalimpong, and close to Sikkim. The nearest Darjeeling tea estate is Glenburn Tea Estate, separated by a hill. Takdah is also close-by.[1]
Located at a height of nestles in a glen overlooking the majestic Kangchenjunga peak.[5]
Lopchu has 226acres under tea cultivation. Most of tea plants were transplanted from Yunan province in China, and much of the tea gets exported to Germany and other European countries.[6]
Note: The map alongside presents some of the notable locations in the subdivision. All places marked in the map are linked in the larger full screen map.
The Economic Times says that Lopchu, a 90-year old tea brand, "has won a dedicated, global following after enduring tough competition." Many of the leading Indian tea connoisseurs love its aroma and smoky taste. [7]